DVD Review: Get Smart

In the world of covert intelligence, only one man is Smart. Steve Carell is in CONTROL as Maxwell Smart, the novice agent often out of his depths but never out of options in this action comedy pitting him against the nuclear scheme of the evil spy group KAOS. Anne Hathaway partners with Max as ever-capable Agent 99. And director Peter Segal (The Longest Yard ) guides his stars (including Dwayne Johnson and Alan Arkin) through the dangerous realm of molar radios, multifunction pocketknives, exploding dental floss and more.

Review:
Somewhere in time, between the birth of James Bond and Mr. Bean, people wanted someone else to turn to for their secret agent excitement. In order to find the perfect mixture, it would take someone brave, suave, and Smart; Maxwell Smart that is.

In today’s world there are the good guys and the bad guys. In the world of espionage, things aren’t much different. The government has a secret group of agents who are known as “CONTROL.” Their main focus is to keep a firm grasp on the opposing side of the criminals known only as “KAOS.” The only problem is that the criminals are always getting smarter and becoming wiser to the ways of CONTROL. This means they must dig deep to find a new “Smart” way to combat these recurring problems.

Enter Maxwell Smart. A book smart, data cruncher who has seen more time behind a keyboard than Bill Gates. Just because he hasn’t seen much action, doesn’t necessarily mean he isn’t the answer. He has the gadgets, the “smarts”, the wit, and of course the stupidity to just maybe get the job done once and for all. The only problem is that he must prove himself to his fellow agents, before proving to himself that he is the agent he always hoped to be.

I thoroughly enjoyed this comedy, because I got exactly what I intended. It is a tongue-in-cheek spoof-like comedy that gives the cookie cutter Bond films a break, so that we can remember how to laugh again. Director Peter Segal was wise in casting Steve Carell as the lead as Maxwell Smart. Carell, who we all know and love from the hit series, The Office, hits the nail right on the head with this character.

This movie also works for all ages. It could be a movie to watch as a family, with your buddies, or with a date. Be sure to make this one of the next on your list to watch, since they are already working on a sequel!

Also, be sure to check out the Blu-ray for some nice special features including numerous featurettes, KOAS CONTROL DVD game, a Comedy Optimization mode with over 45 minutes of alternative jokes, and more!

Review by Charlie Giltenboth

Grade: B
Official site: http://www.getsmartmovie.com/
Buy on Amazon: Get Smart